Même pas le temps de préparer ni réserver quoi que ce soit pour ce mois d'aôut :/
On envisage éventuellement un passage au Mont Rushmore + les badlands à côté et la Floride.
Q1 : Il y a assez à voir pour des non-randonneurs pour une petite boucle (genre 1 semaine) depuis Rapid City ?
Q2 : On trouve des correspondances sans trop de soucis ?
Q3 : Ou alors depuis Denver, mais on ne prévoit pas d'écumer les parcs déjà fait plusieurs fois
Puis un vol intérieur vers la Floride.
Q4 : D'abord MR puis la Floride, ou l'inverse ?
Nota: pas de remarques sur la Floride en août, on connait assez bien 😎
Merci d'avance. Allez ! Je retourne au boulot !
Caussat
Il y a Devils Tower, pas très loin, prévoir une petite demi-journée : Devil's Tower
Dans les Black Hills, il y a la petite ville de Deadwood, quelques routes scéniques, Custer SP pour voir des animaux et deux systèmes de grottes (Jewel Cave et Wind Cave) : Black Hills
Hi
Il y a aussi Crazy Horse
Sur tout ce secteur, voir mon CV 2009 - la 3ème semaine
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
Attention qu'au mois d'Aout , vous risquez de tomber en plein pendant le rassemblement de Sturgis .
Beaucoup de monde , hôtels et hébergements archi-complets et énormément de monde sur les routes
En revanche , si vous aimez la moto , ça vaut le coup 😉
Bon, globalement 5 jours maxi dans le coin pour suivre vos propositions. C'est globalement ça ?
Une idée sur l'intérêt d'une arrivée à Denver ou à Rapide City ? Dans tous les cas, il faut une correspondance aux US.
Merci aussi pour l'info sur Sturgis. Pas trop intéressés, bien que (anciens) motards. Faut que je vois avec Mary Electrica si on peut faire le coin la première semaine d'août avant le rassemblement ou si ça risque déjà d'être blindé.
Zitounet : promis, craché, cette fois, je ne re-lis pas ton compte rendu en diagonal (enfin, si j'ai le temps ...) 🙂
J'ai bien aimé l'été dernier tout le coin que tu prévois avec une mention spéciale pour les Badlands. La traversée du parc en prenant Sage creek road et en passant par le patelin de Scenic resté dans son jus vaut le coup d'œil. Il y a une partie non goudronnée mais très roulante qui ne pose aucun problème. Depuis Interior aux Badlands je suis parti tôt, ai retraversé le parc via Scenic pour avoir une autre lumière, filé sur Alliance pour voir Carhenge http://carhenge.com/, petite pause avec tour de ville de Cheyenne avant d'arriver le soir à Denver. Soyons honnête une fois sorti des Badlands les paysages ne m'ont pas laissé un souvenir inoubliable et les 2 pauses furent bienvenue.
Au Mont Rushmore je te suggère d' assister à la lighting ceremony https://www.nps.gov/moru/planyourvisit/evening-lighting-ceremony.htm et d'y revenir le lendemain matin de bonne heure pour voir les têtes avec la bonne lumière et moins de monde. Sur place il y a de quoi te prendre un petit déjeuner avec vue sur les têtes. J'y étais à 8h et c'était nickel de déjeuner dehors avec cette vue. Tu paies le parking qu'une seule fois car en fait le ticket est valable 1 an pour la voiture. En logeant à Custer tu es à proximité du MR, de Crazy horse memorial et du parc éponyme.
@+
"Si partir vivre ses rêves remplit l'âme, les partager après les avoir réalisés la grandit"
"Qui veut apprendre à se connaître commence par explorer le monde"
Merci pour ces infos qui confirment l'intérêt d'y passer "une paire de jours". Reste à voir le pb de Sturgis car on préfèrerai commencer par ça début août ...
Dans la banlieue proche de Rapid City, une église norvégienne en bois; étonnante construction
http://www.chapel-in-the-hills.org/
Accueil sympa ( en 2011...)
Au milieu de nulle part, le centre géographique des USA à Belle Fouche
Juste en passant vers Devil's Tower, petit détour.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Fourche, _South_Dakota
Le Tour de Sylvan Lake est court et photogénique.
L 8 de la scenic road des Needles est unique.
J’insiste également sur les 2 visites du Mont Rushmore qui sont complémentaires.
Intéressante position de repli en cas de temps pourri: les grottes!
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/caves-cave-tours
Nous avons juste fait une courte visite à Wind Cave - pas inintéressant mais pas extraordinaire non plus; c'était surtout un prétexte à se retrouver dans un endroit frais car il faisait une chaleur étouffante !
Bonne préparation
Deadwood ne m'a pas laissé un souvenir impérissable.
nous venions de denver et avons commencé par le custer park. la preuve de la quaklité de ce park : par un français !!!!! ni chinois ni japonais bruyants ........
le mont rushmore...on est vraiment dans la mythologie des pères de la nation américaine ........ hommage à la guerre d indépendance mais aussi aux massacres de la colonisation de l amérique par les blancs civilisés contre les indiens incultes et à la limite de l animalité...........
alors de le mt rushmore non merci une photo prise de loin dans un virage m a bien suffit
ai préféré crasy horse et son musée de la culture indienne .
les badlands ? troublants .dernier jour du voyage 43°, fait de la voiture, sauf quelques points de vue nous étions épuisés pour bien en profité même si certains coins sont fantastiques
deadwood: ville folklorique 5 mn de reuceuil sur al tombe de calamity jane, et étonenmnt devant la dévotiond e nobmre d américains à Will Bill Hickok où sont laissées des balles en hommage au grand tueur de bisons d indiens et d outlaw
petit village d hutllet à coté sympa
grande émotion à devils tower pas grand chiose à voir sur place, la vue de loin donnant plus d effet que de trop prêt..... ai du voir 8 fois encontre du 3° type.. uin coté pélerinage
j vais laissé un carnet sur cette partie à partir de la page 10
Merci pour ces compléments d'info. Va quand même falloir que je trouve le temps de m'y mettre :/
@ducono : j'ai bien conscience que le Mont Rushmore est sur-évalué. Mais, bon, c'est un truc que j'ai envie de voir depuis longtemps. Alors ...
pas de souci ... pour moi le mont rushmore c est surtout l album "made in rock " de deep purple que j avais acquis "gratuitement" dans mon supermarché de banlieue il y a 45 ans.........
pas de souci ... pour moi le mont rushmore c est surtout l album "made in rock " de deep purple que j avais acquis "gratuitement" dans mon supermarché de banlieue il y a 45 ans.........
Ah c'est sur que si tu t'attendais à voir Ritchie Blackmore ou Ian Gillan gravés dans la roche , t'as du être déçu 😎 😉
Je réponds à ce topic car les derniers messages m'ont titillé l'esprit. Que personne ne voit en mon message un quelconque jugement ou autre, je respecte absolument tous les points de vue et les comprends, c'est sincère. Ce n'est pas du tout à but polémique, soyez-en sûr.
Pour ma part, je conseille de ne pas choisir entre le Mt Rushmore et le Crazy Horse Memorial, mais de voir les deux. Plusieurs raisons à cela... déjà se faire sa propre idée au sujet des deux sites, et c'est déjà pas mal comme raison.
Ensuite, je pense qu'il faut mettre un peu les choses en perspective. Les deux monuments font partie de l'histoire des USA et les deux monuments ont été créés par les "blancs".
Le Mt Rushmore représente aujourd'hui un terrain de réconciliation, le parc a pendant plusieurs années a été dirigé par un indien, Gerard Baker, qui avait dirigé auparavant le Little Big Horn National Monument. Grâce à lui, un gros travail de réécriture (pourrait-on dire) de l'histoire a été fait, mettant en avant les native americans et permettant ainsi aux visiteurs de se poser les bonnes questions concernant ce monument, sans préjugés. Faites des recherches sur Baker si le sujet vous intéresse, c'est un gars bien. 🙂
Le Crazy Horse Memorial est très loin de faire l'unanimité chez les indiens. Certains le voient comme une véritable profanation de leur terres sacrées, tout autant que Rushmore. J'avoue que même une fois visité le site, je ne sais toujours pas quoi en penser. Si vous aimez lire, plongez-vous dans le roman Collines Noires de Dan Simmons... qui est une merveille pour tous les passionnés d'histoire indienne et américaine, c'est à la fois déchirant et malgré tout plein d'espoir. Même si c'est une histoire "imaginée", c'est très largement documenté et absolument passionnant. Tout (enfin pas tout, mais je ne vais pas tout vous raconter) se passe dans les Black Hills et le Mt Rushmore y tient un rôle prépondérant... ainsi que le Crazy Horse Memorial dans une moindre mesure, mais l'histoire n'est tendre ni avec l'un ni avec l'autre. Reste que c'est bouleversant au plus au point.
Bref tout ça pour dire, que je crois que nous ne devrions pas trop juger de la valeur de ses deux sites (sur ou sous-évalués par rapport à quoi ? ), mais plutôt essayer de comprendre pourquoi ils sont là et repartir après visite avec plus de questions que de certitudes.
Voilà, désolée pour l’aparté, vous pouvez reprendre le cours normal de votre journée et même oublier mon message si vous le souhaitez. Vraiment aucun soucis. 🙂
Bonne soirée à tous et bons préparatifs Caussat. 😉
Enregistrer
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
Merci pour ce souvenir! L'époque où un morceau durait plus de 3mn12!
Moi je l'avais téléchargé légalement. Non, je décono ! Je l'avais acheté chez un ... comment on disait à l'époque ? Disquaire, non ? .)
J'ai donné tous mes vinyls à Emmaüs, je ne l'ai plus. Je l'écoute sur la toile. Quel bonheur. Je vais peut-être m'en faire une compil pour l'arrivée sur Mont Rushmore.
Là, c'est "Child in time", sans doute l'un de mes morceaux préférés !
Photographie et vidéo en voyage › États-Unis · 6 replies
Nous repartons en août vers des coins déjà visités et abondamment photographiés, à part le Mount Rushmore et une journée dans les badlands. L'âge aidant, les…
Suite à mon premier post datant du 11 février 2017, et surtout à vos conseils, voici le projet plus ou moins définitif de mon US Tour 2017. Aucune réservation…
Je suis le début de l’après midi à me retourner le cerveau pour l’organisation de mes J 3 (Wheatland - Custer) et j 4 (Custer - Interior) Pour rejoindre…
Il ne me reste plus qu'un hébergement à reserver pour notre périple de septembre. Le Cedar Pass Lodge semble ne pas avoir encore ouvert ses réservations pour…
Je suis en ce moment en train de préparer un voyage aux Etats unis pour cet été (à partir de mi juillet). Pour faire les présentations: nous voyagerons en…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Merci de me conseiller pour la réservation pour la plus belle vue faut il réserver une chambre dans l'hôtel ou choisir une cabane ?
Prendre le petit déjeuner ou pas ?
Que pensez vous du restaurant ?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?